MLB Total Predictions and Picks: Houston Astros vs Pittsburgh Pirates 7/30

MLB Total Predictions and Picks: Houston Astros vs Pittsburgh Pirates 7/30

Photo Credit: None

Game Summary

The Houston Astros (55-51) will look to bounce back against the Pittsburgh Pirates (54-52) in Game 2 of their series on July 30, 2024, at Minute Maid Park in Houston. After suffering a 5-3 loss to the Pirates on July 29, the Astros are eager to equalize the series. Houston has a solid home record of 30-23 this season and has performed well in games where they out-hit their opponents (45-16). In contrast, the Pirates have held their own on the road, with a record of 28-26. They have proven to be a formidable opponent when scoring five or more runs, boasting a remarkable 34-7 record in those scenarios. This matchup marks the second meeting between the two teams this season, with the first game resulting in a win for Pittsburgh. Both teams come into this game with mixed results in their last ten games; the Astros are 5-5 with a .257 batting average and a 3.93 ERA, while the Pirates have been slightly better at 6-4 with a .236 batting average and a 3.34 ERA. Key players to watch include Yordan Alvarez for the Astros, who has 20 home runs this season, and Bryan Reynolds for the Pirates, leading his team with 18 home runs. The outcome of this game will be crucial for both teams as they vie for playoff positioning in their respective divisions.

Odds and Betting Lines

Market	Odds
Over/Under	8.5
Houston Astros Moneyline	+100
Pittsburgh Pirates Moneyline	-122

Pitching Probables

Pitcher	W-L	ERA	WHIP	Strikeouts
Bailey Falter (PIT)	4-7	4.08	1.20	61
Hunter Brown (HOU)	9-6	4.00	1.37	118

Team Previews

Houston Astros

The Houston Astros are currently ranked 12th in runs (495) and 2nd in hits (952) in the league, showcasing their offensive potential. They maintain a .262 batting average, which ranks them 2nd overall. Key offensive contributors include Yordan Alvarez, who leads with 20 home runs and 57 RBIs, and Jose Altuve, boasting an impressive .311 batting average. Despite their offensive prowess, the Astros' pitching staff has an ERA of 4.02, ranking 15th in the league. Hunter Brown has been a key asset in their rotation, striking out 118 batters in 110.1 innings pitched. However, injuries to key players such as Justin Verlander and Kyle Tucker could impact their performance.

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates have had a challenging season offensively, ranking 23rd in runs (441) and 25th in hits (828). Their batting average of .231 ranks them 26th in the league. Bryan Reynolds, with 18 home runs and 61 RBIs, has been the standout performer for the Pirates. The team's pitching has been more reliable, with a collective ERA of 3.81, placing them 11th in the league. Bailey Falter, while struggling with a 4.08 ERA, has shown moments of brilliance. The Pirates are also dealing with injuries, including Daulton Jefferies and Ji-Hwan Bae, which could affect their lineup depth.

Team Injuries

Houston Astros

Player Name	Position	Injury	Injury Status
Justin Verlander	SP	Neck	Expected to be out until at least Aug 5
Blair Henley	SP	Undisclosed	Expected to be out until at least Aug 5

Pittsburgh Pirates

Player Name	Position	Injury	Injury Status
Daulton Jefferies	RP	Elbow	Expected to be out until at least Aug 10
Josh Palacios	RF	Hamstring	Probable for Jul 30
Ji-Hwan Bae	CF	Knee	Probable for Jul 30

Betting Trends

• The Pirates are 6-4 in their last 10 games.
• The Astros are 5-5 in their last 10 games.
• The Pirates have a record of 34-7 when scoring five or more runs.
• The Astros have a 45-16 record when they out-hit their opponents.
• The total has gone over in 4 of the Astros' last 6 games.
• The total has gone under in 4 of the Pirates' last 5 games.

Recent Games

Houston Astros

Opponent	Score	W/L
vs Los Angeles	W5-0	W
vs Los Angeles	W7-6	W
vs Los Angeles	L6-2	L
vs Pittsburgh	L5-3	L
@ Oakland	W8-1	W

Pittsburgh Pirates

Opponent	Score	W/L
@ Arizona	W6-5 F/10	W
@ Houston	W5-3	W
@ Arizona	L9-5	L
@ Arizona	L4-3	L
vs St. Louis	W5-0	W

Weather

Intermittent clouds with a temperature of 88°F.

Prediction

Get more predictions and expert picks! :

 

 

```